Empowerment-based AdvocacyFocuses on advocating for battered women in ways that support their right to self-determination. Explores empowerment as a partnership between the advocate and the survivor. Survivor-based service management is addressed.

The Battered Women's MovementUnderstanding the advocate's role and work in the Battered Women's Movement and discussing social change aspects of the movement is the focus of this training. A foundation and frame of reference for addressing problematic issues frequently raised about battering is provided.

Dangerousness Assessment and Safety Planning with SurvivorsExplores how assessment and planning applies to diverse populations. Included in this training are unique considerations for safety planning that address age, culture, geographical influences, and sexual orientation.

Shelter Rules, Ethics, and Empowerment: Can They Coexist?Discussion of the rules that shelters must institute and re-examination of rules that might be modified. How rules do or do not support the empowerment process will be discussed.

Ethical CommunicationThis workshop goes beyond conflict resolution and into issues of oppression and empowerment. It is designed to be interactive and informative. Participants are encouraged to engage in the process and take responsibility for their own responses. There will be opportunities to practice direct, honest, and respectful communication.

Compassion Fatigue and Advocate Self-CareWorking with survivors of domestic violence can be stressful for advocates. Hearing about the abuse survivors endure day after day may impact an advocates propensity for compassion fatigue. In this training, participants will increase their understanding of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. Participants will learn how to recognize the indicators of compassion fatigue and burnout as well burnout prevention strategies including how to create a self-care plan.

Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and YouthPresents current information on the consequences witnessing violence in the home has on children and youth. Information will include the children's assessment tool and reporting matrix. Intervention strategies will be discussed.

Mandated Reporting: Distinguishing, Identifying, and Reporting Child AbusePresentation and discussion of issues related to "What qualifies as child abuse?" and when to and not to report. Shelter and DCF interaction and interventions will be discussed. The training will also include definitions regarding the mandated reporting of abuse committed against vulnerable adults. A significant portion of the training will be devoted to your center's or shelter's unique experiences.

Relationship Abuse in the Lives of Runaway and Homeless YouthThe workshop will provide advocates with intervention and prevention strategies as identified by service providers and teen representatives. The workshop will offer advocates information on the importance of involving teens in community prevention efforts addressing relationship abuse among runaway and homeless youth.

Domestic Violence and Companion Animal AbuseThis training discusses how these abuses interrelate, what they mean and how they impact women needing shelter. Participants will learn about the indications for safety planning and lethality assessments. Interventions for women and their animal companions will be explored and state and national resources will be provided.

Domestic Violence and a DisabilityThis workshop explores advocacy for survivors living with a disability to include disability awareness, safety planning for persons living with a disability, barriers to disclosure of abuse, and economic challenges and financial resources.

Domestic Violence in Later LifeThe intersection of domestic violence and elders living with disabilities and poverty will be explored identifying definition, scope and barriers to service. A facilitated discussion will focus on prevention and intervention tools and techniques.

Women Who Are Battered and Living with Mental Health ComplexitiesDesigned to help advocates working with battered women who demonstrate mental health complexities. Information to help advocates understand the multiple issues the survivor faces and development of policies that consider survivor needs will be addressed. Making appropriate referrals will be examined.

Women who are Battered and Living with Chemical DependencyExplores the complex experiences of women who are battered and living with chemical dependency. Intervention strategies and available resources will be discussed.

Training Healthcare Providers: Advocate's Guide to Presenting TrainingsResources and information will be presented in this training. Advocates will become familiar with basic components of trainings for healthcare professionals in their community.

Housing Protections under the Violence Against Women ActThese protections went into effect January 5, 2006 and prevent eviction by a Public Housing Authority or private landlord receiving housing choice vouchers (Section 8) when the eviction action is related to domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. This training will provide Center staff with an understanding of how the protections work, how to advocate to prevent evictions in public housing, partnering with legal services and Public Housing Authorities.

Economic Justice - Survivor Centered Economic AdvocacyThis training, an introduction to economic justice, provides specific strategies to assist survivors to become economically stable and independent. Training is presented as a regional or on-site. Included in the discussion are how to create a financial safety plan, consumer rights for survivors, financial literacy, predatory lending, matched saving programs, building community partnerships, tax credits and economic empowerment through entrepreneurship and other long-term strategies.

Domestic Violence and the WorkplaceThis training involves examining workplace programs that address domestic violence. The goal of this workshop is to develop a useful training program for center staff to take to workplaces in the center/shelter's community. Model policies and protocols will be discussed.

Sexual Violence and Battering: An Often Ignored PhenomenonThis training will examine the dynamics sexual violence, why survivors may not disclose, and intervention skills and resources. A discussion of the need for a debriefing process for advocates will be included.

Advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Survivors of Domestic ViolenceLesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) survivors of domestic violence face increased barriers in seeking and receiving services and support. Participants in this training will explore LGBT issues and domestic violence while developing a vocabulary and understanding for working with survivors who identify as LGBT. Strategies for evaluating traditional practices that marginalize LGBT survivors will be explored.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence in the MilitaryThe workshop will provide advocates with an overview of domestic and sexual violence in the military, barriers to disclosure and the importance of building collaborations between civilian advocates and military advocates.

Primary Prevention of Domestic ViolenceThis training defines primary prevention and provides the basic framework for advocates to work in their community to change the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors about domestic violence. Primary prevention as social change will be explored. Participants will learn about the Social Ecological Model as they discuss innovative primary prevention approaches and strategies.

Providing Outreach to Incarcerated Survivors of Domestic ViolenceWomen facing criminal charges often enter the criminal justice system with complex histories of neglect and abuse, starting in childhood and continuing through adulthood. Some of the most common characteristics of incarcerated women are histories of profound physical and sexual abuse, histories of drug and alcohol dependence, and family histories of arrest and incarceration. Participants will come away from this training with tools for working with abused women in Florida's jails and prisons.

Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence and Sexual AssaultMany important similarities exist between the services provided to survivors of domestic or sexual violence and survivors of human trafficking. This training provides a basic overview of the issue of human trafficking, as well as information about how advocates can identify and assist survivors who may be seeking assistance from domestic violence programs.

Cultural CompetencyAn increasingly diverse and multicultural society is inspiring our movement to strive toward developing cultural sensitivity and cultural competence. However, culture is neither a blueprint nor an identity; individuals often traverse many cultural traditions. A program is considered relevant when the age, socioeconomic status, and culture of the community it intends to serve are taken into consideration. Creating relevant programming challenges us to address the concerns of the populations we serve. However, It is not possible to predict beliefs and behaviors of individuals based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin. This workshop will explore creating supportive environments that foster mutual education and understanding as we move toward creating programs that are both inclusive and meaningful.

If your center is in need of training or technical assistance on a topic not listed here, select "other" in your assistance request. We will contact you promptly regarding your request.

Building Your Agency's Children and Youth ProgramThis specialized training is designed for administrative and program staff. Everyone in the agency directly or indirectly impacts the lives of children who come to the center/shelter for intervention. All employees can offer ideas of how the agency can grow to meet the needs of children and what unique resources support that development. Thus it is requested that all staff attend the first half of this training. The remainder of the training will involve the Executive Director and the children's program staff. Volunteers are welcomed.

Strategic Planning for Organizational Growth and Social ChangeUtilizing strategic planning to provide the impetus for creatively developing your organization into a social change agency. The center/shelter will be encouraged to review programs, policies, and community activity as they relate to producing and supporting social change. This workshop is oriented toward agency and program administrators as well as their board members.

Board of Directors TrainingFocus is on the roles and responsibilities of the board and individual board members. Composition of the board will be explored. Unique issues facing a domestic violence center/shelter board will also be discussed.